U.S. patent application number 13/137738 was filed with the patent office on 2012-01-05 for electronic apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to FUJITSU LIMITED. Invention is credited to Tadanori Tachikawa, Ikki Tatsukami.
Application Number | 20120002363 13/137738 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42982199 |
Filed Date | 2012-01-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120002363 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tatsukami; Ikki ; et
al. |
January 5, 2012 |
Electronic apparatus
Abstract
An electronic apparatus includes a heat dissipating module
mounted at a position interposed between a shield plate and a main
circuit board and air sent from a fan through a heat dissipating
fin is discharged from an air vent, wherein the heat dissipating
module includes the heat dissipating fin in contact with the heat
generating electronic component; the fan sending the air; and a
base body supporting the fan and the heat dissipating fin at a
position closer to a side of the shield plate than a position of
the fan, and having a slope between the fan and the heat
dissipating fin for guiding the air sent from the fan to the heat
dissipating fin, wherein the shield plate includes a cut and raised
piece which faces the slope and obliquely guides the air sent from
the fan to the heat dissipating fin along the slope.
Inventors: |
Tatsukami; Ikki; (Kawasaki,
JP) ; Tachikawa; Tadanori; (Kawasaki-shi,
JP) |
Assignee: |
FUJITSU LIMITED
Kawasaki
JP
|
Family ID: |
42982199 |
Appl. No.: |
13/137738 |
Filed: |
September 8, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/JP2009/057533 |
Apr 14, 2009 |
|
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13137738 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
361/679.21 ;
361/697 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/1615 20130101;
G06F 1/203 20130101; G06F 1/1616 20130101; H01H 13/183
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
361/679.21 ;
361/697 |
International
Class: |
G06F 1/20 20060101
G06F001/20; H05K 7/20 20060101 H05K007/20 |
Claims
1. An electronic apparatus comprising: a casing having an air vent;
a shield plate extending along an inner face of the casing; a main
circuit board configured to extend along the casing interposing a
gap between the shield plate, the main circuit board having a heat
generating electronic component on a face of the main circuit board
facing the shield plate; and a heat dissipating module that is
mounted at a position interposed between the shield plate and the
main circuit board and air sent from a fan through a heat
dissipating fin is discharged from the air vent, the heat
dissipating module including the heat dissipating fin in contact
with the heat generating electronic component; the fan configured
to send the air to the heat dissipating fin; and a base body
configured to support the fan and the heat dissipating fin at a
position closer to a side of the shield plate than a position of
the fan, and have a slope between the fan and the heat dissipating
fin for guiding the air sent from the fan to the heat dissipating
fin, wherein the shield plate includes a cut and raised piece which
faces the slope and obliquely guides the air sent from the fan to
the heat dissipating fin along the slope.
2. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein base body
includes a pair of walls standing on both sides of the slope for
preventing the air sent from the fan and flowing along the slope,
and the cut and raised piece forms a duct in association with the
slope and the pair of the walls.
3. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heat
dissipating fin is biased by a spring toward the base body, and the
heat dissipating fin is pushed by the heat generating electronic
component to be moved at a position of receiving the air flown
along the slope.
4. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
electronic apparatus includes a computing unit having a keyboard on
an upper surface of the electronic apparatus, and a display unit
supported by the computing unit and being capable of rotating from
the computing unit, wherein the casing is a casing of the computing
unit.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a U.S. continuation application filed
under 35 USC 111a and 365c of PCT application PCT/JP2009/057533,
filed on Apr. 14, 2009. The foregoing application is hereby
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD
[0002] The embodiments discussed herein relates to an electronic
apparatus having a heat generating electronic component and a
mechanism for air-cooling the heat generating electronic component
mounted.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In an example notebook type personal computer (hereinafter,
referred to as a notebook PC), a heat generating electronic
component such as a CPU chip is mounted on a circuit board.
Further, an air-cooling mechanism for forcedly air-cooling the heat
generating electronic component including a heat dissipating fin, a
fan and an air-cooling mechanism. The heat dissipating fin is in
close contact with the heat generating electronic component to
absorb or transfer heat from the heat generating electronic
component, dissipates the heat to the air with an air blow
generated by the fan, and exhausts the air by the heat dissipating
fin from an air vent provided in a casing to the outside. It is
preferable that the heat dissipating fin is in close contact with
the heat generating electronic component on the circuit board.
Meanwhile, the fan has an air intake and blows air taken in from
the air intake to the heat dissipating fin.
[0004] There are Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No.
2004-235258 disclosing an air duct as an independent part, and
Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2000-188493 disclosing a
cooling device having an electromagnetic shield for restricting
noise.
SUMMARY
[0005] According to an aspect of the embodiments, an electronic
apparatus includes a casing, a shield plate, a main circuit board,
and a heat generating electronic. The casing has an air vent. The
shield plate extends along an inner face of the casing. The main
circuit board extends along the casing interposing a gap between
the shield plate and has a heat generating electronic component on
a face of the main circuit board facing the shield plate. The heat
dissipating module includes a heat dissipating fin, a fan, and a
base body. Here, the heat dissipating fin is in contact with the
heat generating electronic component, and the fan sends the air to
the heat dissipating fin. The base body supports the fan and the
heat dissipating fin at a position closer to a side of the shield
plate than a position of the fan, and has a slope between the fan
and the heat dissipating fin for guiding the air sent from the fan
to the heat dissipating fin. Here, the shield plate includes a cut
and raised piece which faces the slope and obliquely guides the air
sent from the fan to the heat dissipating fin along the slope.
[0006] The object and advantages of the invention will be realized
and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly
pointed out in the appended claims.
[0007] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary
and explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention as
claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a notebook PC in a closed
state;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the notebook PC of FIG. 1 in
an opened state;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a right side
surface of the notebook in the opened state;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a left side
surface of the notebook in the opened state;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a bottom surface
of the notebook PC in the closed state;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the bottom surface
of the notebook in the closed state which is viewed from a
different angle;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a view of an opening of a battery housing on the
bottom surface of a computing unit where a battery is removed;
[0015] FIG. 8 illustrates a removed battery which is turned upside
down;
[0016] FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of an extending
portion covering an HDD unit and adjacent portions thereto;
[0017] FIG. 10 illustrates an HDD unit accommodated in an opening
of an HDD unit housing;
[0018] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a lid which is removed from
the opening of the HDD unit housing;
[0019] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the inside of the lid;
[0020] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the opening of the HDD unit
housing after the HDD unit is removed;
[0021] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the opening of the HDD unit
housing viewed from a different angle after removing the HDD
unit;
[0022] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the HDD unit;
[0023] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the HDD unit viewed from a
different angle;
[0024] FIG. 17 illustrates the bottom surface of the HDD unit;
[0025] FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of the HDD unit
separated into the HDD body and a cover member;
[0026] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the cover member of the HDD
unit;
[0027] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the cover member of the HDD
unit viewed from a different angle;
[0028] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the cover member of the HDD
unit viewed from a further different angle;
[0029] FIG. 22 illustrates the notebook PC from which a cover
member on an upper side of the computing unit and a speaker are
removed;
[0030] FIG. 23 is an enlarged perspective view of a speaker area on
the left side of the notebook PC;
[0031] FIG. 24 is an enlarged perspective view of the speaker area
on the right side of the notebook PC;
[0032] FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the speaker viewed from a
back surface side of the notebook PC;
[0033] FIG. 26 is an enlarged perspective view of the notebook PC
in which the speaker is mounted on the speaker area on the left
side of the notebook PC;
[0034] FIG. 27 is an enlarged perspective view of the notebook PC
in which the speaker is mounted on the speaker area on the right
side of the notebook PC;
[0035] FIG. 28 illustrates an upper surface of the computing unit
from which the cover member covering the speaker and a key board
are removed;
[0036] FIG. 29 illustrates the upper surface side of the computing
unit illustrated in FIG. 28 from which the speakers are
removed;
[0037] FIG. 30 illustrates the back surface side of an upper cover
used also as a base plate for supporting the speakers;
[0038] FIG. 31 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a
supporter provided on the back face of the upper cover;
[0039] FIG. 32 is an enlarged perspective view of the supporter on
its upper surface side where the supporter is removed from the
front face cover;
[0040] FIG. 33 is a perspective view illustrating inner faces of
two operations buttons sandwiching a fingerprint sensor where the
supporter attached to the main circuit board is removed;
[0041] FIG. 34 is an enlarged view of the inner face of a right
operations button;
[0042] FIG. 35 is an enlarged view of the inner face of a left
operations button;
[0043] FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the computing unit from
which the upper cover is removed;
[0044] FIG. 37 is a perspective view of a main circuit board;
[0045] FIG. 38 is an enlarged perspective view of a connector for a
power source on a side illustrated in FIG. 37 of the main circuit
board;
[0046] FIG. 39 is an enlarged perspective view of the power
connector for the power source on the side illustrated in FIG. 37
of the main circuit board viewed from a different angle;
[0047] FIG. 40 is an enlarged perspective view of the power
connector on a side opposite to the side illustrated in FIG. 37 of
the main circuit board;
[0048] FIG. 41 is a perspective view of the power connector
alone;
[0049] FIG. 42 is a perspective view of the supporter;
[0050] FIG. 43 is a perspective view of the supporter viewed from a
different angle;
[0051] FIG. 44 is a perspective view of an assembly of the power
connector and the supporter;
[0052] FIG. 45 is a perspective view of the first surface of the
main circuit board from which a heat dissipating module is
removed;
[0053] FIG. 46 is a perspective view of an inside of a bottom
surface cover after the main circuit board is removed;
[0054] FIG. 47 is a perspective view of the heat dissipating
module;
[0055] FIG. 48 is a perspective view of the heat dissipating module
which is placed at a predetermined position while the heat
dissipating module is removed from the main circuit board;
[0056] FIG. 49 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line X-X of
FIG. 48;
[0057] FIG. 50 illustrates an unhook button protruding from an
upper surface of the display unit (a front end surface);
[0058] FIG. 51 illustrates the pushed unhook button;
[0059] FIG. 52 is a cross-sectional view of the hook and the unhook
button;
[0060] FIG. 53 illustrates a comparative example of FIG. 52;
[0061] FIG. 54 is a perspective view of an inner face of the front
cover of the display unit;
[0062] FIG. 55 is an enlarged perspective view of a hook structure
including the hook on the inner face of the front cover;
[0063] FIG. 56 is an exploded perspective view of the hook
structure;
[0064] FIG. 57A is plan view of a face on a hook holder side of the
second hook member;
[0065] FIG. 57B is a plan view of a face on a first hook member
side of the second hook member;
[0066] FIG. 58A is a perspective view of the face on the hook
holder side of the second hook member; and
[0067] FIG. 58B is a perspective view of the face on the first hook
member side of the second hook member in.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0068] In the example notebook PC described above, there may be a
case where a requirement for compactness is satisfied when a heat
dissipating fin and a fan are arranged in different heights inside
an electronic apparatus. In this case, the base body which supports
the fan and the heat dissipating fin may have a slope for guiding
the air blow sent from the fan to the heat dissipating fin.
However, even if only the slope is formed, the air from the fan
leaks. In order to effectively guide the air blow from the fan to
the heat dissipating fin, it is preferable to form a structure like
a duct along the slope. The base body may be a thick and heavy
member such as a die-casted metal because the base body is used to
support the heat dissipating fin for pushing toward the heat
generating electronic component. In this case, it is difficult to
form the duct by bending the base body. Then, in order to form the
duct, another part may be prepared to introduce the air blow in
association with the slope of the base body. However, the number of
the parts increases.
[0069] A description is given below, with reference to FIG. 1
through FIG. 58B of Embodiments of the present invention.
[0070] (Outer Appearance)
[0071] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a notebook type personal
computer (notebook PC) of an Embodiment of an electronic apparatus
where a cover is closed. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the
notebook PC of FIG. 1 where the cover is opened. FIG. 3 and FIG. 4
are perspective views of the notebook PC in the opened state which
is viewed from right and left side surfaces. FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are
perspective views illustrating the bottom surface of the notebook
PC in the closed state taken from different angles.
[0072] Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 6, an outer appearance of the
notebook PC of the Embodiment is described.
[0073] The notebook PC includes a computing unit 20 and a display
unit 30. The display unit 30 includes a rotational shaft 40 on a
far side of the computing unit 20 from the front side of the
notebook PC. A closed state of the display unit 30 overlapping the
computing unit 20 as illustrated in FIG. 1 and an opened state of
the display unit 30 opened from the computing unit 20 illustrated
in FIG. 2 are switched over by rotation around the rotational shaft
40. In order to change the state of the display unit 30 from the
closed state to the opened state, the display unit 30 is rotated
around the rotational shaft 40 by lifting the front end surface 301
of the display unit 30 in the closed state. The front end surface
301 of the display unit 30 in the closed state becomes an upper
surface in the opened state (hereinafter, referred to as the opened
state) when the display unit 30 is vertically opened. The
rotational shaft has a structure of rotating the display unit 30
with friction. The display unit 30 is structured to maintain an
opened angle while the display unit 30 is opened by an arbitrary
angle relative to the computing unit 20. As illustrated in FIG. 1,
the computing unit 20 and the display unit 30 have an outer
appearance of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped.
[0074] The computing unit 20 has many components such as a main
circuit board having an arithmetic processing function in which a
CPU chip and so on are installed and a hard disk drive unit (HDD
unit) which stores information. The CPU chip is a heat generating
electronic component which operates while generating heat and may
include a heat dissipating module such as a fan provided to
air-cool the CPU chip.
[0075] A power button 22 and various function buttons 23 are
provided on the upper far side of the computing unit 20. A pair of
sound emitting holes 24 is formed in the casing 21 of the computing
unit 20. Speakers are positioned inside the sound emitting holes
24, and sound generated by the speakers is emitted from the sound
emitting holes 24.
[0076] In the middle portion of the upper surface of the computing
unit 20, a keyboard 25 for inputting various information and
instructions to the PC notebook 10 is arranged.
[0077] On the near side of the keyboard 25, there are provided a
track pad 26, right and left operations button 27 for the track pad
26, and a fingerprint sensor 28 in the middle of the operations
buttons (right and left) 27.
[0078] The track pad 26 is provided to move a cursor on the display
screen 32 described later in response to operations of sliding a
finger on the track pad 26. The operations buttons (right and left)
27 correspond to right and left buttons of a mouse (not
illustrated) and are used for designating an icon overlapping a
cursor moved at an arbitrary position on the display screen and
displaying a menu screen on the display screen 32. The fingerprint
sensor 28 is provided for security. The notebook PC 10 may be
activated only when a fingerprint matching a registered fingerprint
is detected.
[0079] On a near side on the upper surface of the computing unit
20, a locking aperture 29 is provided on the casing 21 of the
computing unit 20. A hook 33 provided on a front upper portion of
the display unit 30 (described later) is inserted into and engaged
with the aperture 29 when the state of the notebook PC changes from
the opened state to the closed state. With the engagement, the
display unit 30 maintains the closed state in which the display
unit overlaps the computing unit 20. Thus, the notebook PC may not
be inadvertently opened. An unhook button 34 protrudes from the
front end surface 301 in the closed state (the upper surface in the
opened state). If the unhook button 34 is pushed toward the front
end surface (the upper surface) 301, the hook 33 moves to an unhook
position thereby releasing engagement between the hook 33 and the
locking aperture 29. By lifting up the front end surface (the upper
surface) 311 while pushing the unhook button 34, the display unit
30 is opened as illustrated in FIG. 2. On the right side surface of
the computing unit 20 illustrated in FIG. 3, a power connector hole
211 for inserting the connector of an AC adapter (not illustrated)
for transforming AC power to DC power and supplying the DC power to
the notebook PC 10 is formed. In an inside of the power connector
211, a power connector connected to the connector of the AC adaptor
is provided. The notebook PC receives a power supply via the power
connector of the AC adaptor and the power connector hole 211
connected to the power connector of the AC adaptor. A battery is
built in the notebook PC 10 to be charged by receiving the power
supply from the AC adaptor. As described later, the battery is
detachable from the computing unit 20. The notebook PC 10 can
continue to operate only with the battery power. The AC adaptor may
include an AC/DC transforming part, a first cable part which
connects the AC/DC transforming part to a commercial power outlet
and includes a plug connected to the commercial power outlet on an
end of the first cable part, a second cable part which connects the
AC/DC transforming part to the notebook PC 10 and includes a
connector inserted in the power connector of power connector hole
on an end of the second cable part. On the right side surface of
the computing unit 20, there are insertion holes for a USB
connector, an audio microphone jack, an audio earphone jack or the
like other than the power connector hole 211. On the left side of
the computing unit 20 illustrated in FIG. 4, an outer face 411 of a
CD/DVD drive unit, a card slot 412 and so on are provided.
[0080] Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, on the bottom surface of the
computing unit 20, a battery lid 422, a lid 439 for covering an
opening in which an HDD unit is accommodated, and a lid 439 for
covering an opening which accommodates a connector for receiving a
memory board are provided. Further, from the bottom surface of the
casing 21 of the computing unit 20 to the back surface of the
casing 21, an air vent 441 used for blowing air from an internal
fan to the outside is formed as illustrated in FIG. 6. Several
connectors and so on are arranged on a back surface of the
computing unit 20.
[0081] The display screen 32 being a display panel for displaying
an image in response to an instruction of the computing unit 20 is
provided on a front surface of the display unit 30 in the opened
state. The periphery of the display screen 32 is covered by a front
face cover 311 forming the casing 31 of the display unit 30.
[0082] The casing 31 of the display unit 30 includes the front face
cover 311 and a back surface cover 312 (see FIG. 1) covering the
back side surface of the display screen. The display screen 32 is
interposed between the front surface cover 311 and the back surface
cover 312 and accommodated in the casing 31. The front surface
cover 311 forms a front casing of the casing 31 of the display unit
30. The back surface cover 312 forms a back casing of the casing 31
of the display unit 30.
[0083] A hook 33 protrudes from a upper front surface of the
display unit 30 in the opened state. The hook 33 enters the locking
aperture 29 provided in the casing 21 of the computing unit 20 and
is engaged with the inside of the locking aperture 29 in the closed
state. Referring to FIG. 1, an unhook button 34 protrudes from the
upper surface 301 in the opened state (the front end surface 301 in
the closed state). If the unhook button 34 is pushed downward
toward the upper surface in the opened state (the front surface in
the closed state), the hook 33 moves to a position where the
engagement between the hook 33 and the locking aperture 29 is
released. Therefore, the display unit 30 in the closed state as
illustrated in FIG. 1 can be opened as illustrated in FIG. 2 by
rotating the display unit 30 so as to lift the front end surface
301 of the display unit 30 while pushing the unhook button 34.
[0084] The upper front portion of the display unit 30 in the opened
state has plural pads 35 to be in contact with the upper surface of
the computing unit 20 when the display unit 30 overlaps the
computing unit 20.
[0085] (HDD Cover Attaching Structure)
[0086] FIG. 7 is a view of an opening of a battery housing on the
bottom surface of the computing unit from which the battery is
removed.
[0087] FIG. 8 illustrates a removed battery which is turned upside
down. An opening 212 of a battery housing formed in a bottom
surface of the casing 21 of the computing unit 20 is illustrated in
FIG. 7. The battery 420 includes a body 421 and a lid 422. A
battery cell is accommodated in the body 421. The battery 420 is
attachable to and detachable from the opening 212 of battery
housing. The battery body 421 is accommodated in the opening 212 of
the battery housing. A connector 501 is exposed inside the opening
212 of the battery housing. The connector 501 is connected to a
connector 423 provided in the battery body 421 of the battery 420
illustrated in FIG. 8. The battery 420 is charged via the
connectors 501 and 423, and power stored in the battery 420 is
supplied to various portions of the notebook PC 10 via the
connectors 501 and 423. The lid 422 overlaps the area of the
battery body 421 and forms a part of the outer surface of the
casing. The lid 422 has a flange 422a extending along the surface
area of the battery body 421 and protruding from the battery body
421. Meanwhile, the casing 21 has a supporting edge 213 extending
along the opening 212 of the battery housing and in an inward
direction from the opening 212 of the battery housing. The flange
422a of the battery 420 is supported by the supporting edge 213
formed around the opening 212 of battery housing and engaged with
the opening 212 of battery housing by a locking part 422b.
Referring to FIG. 10, on the bottom surface of the casing 21 of the
computing unit 20, an opening 414 of an HDD unit housing which
accommodates an HDD unit 430 is formed adjacent to the opening 212a
of the battery housing. The HDD unit 430 is accommodated in the
opening 414 of the HDD unit housing as illustrated in FIG. 10, and
the HDD unit 430 is covered by the lid 439 as illustrated in FIG.
7. The lid 439 includes a cover portion 439a for covering the HDD
unit 430 which is accommodated in the opening 414 of the HDD unit
housing and an extending portion 439b which extends on the side of
the opening 212 of the battery housing.
[0088] FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of an extending
portion 439b covering the HDD unit 430 and adjacent portions
thereto. Referring to FIG. 9, the battery 420 is slightly lifted up
from the opening 212 of the battery housing.
[0089] The outer face of a supporting edge 213 formed around the
opening 212 of the battery housing and the outer face of the
extending portion 439b of the lid 439 adjacent to the opening 212
of the battery housing are formed substantially flat. The battery
420 is accommodated inside the opening 212 of the battery housing
so that the flange 422a which is the peripheral portion of the
battery lid 422 of the battery 420 covers both the supporting edge
213 and the extending portion 439b.
[0090] Therefore, the lid 439 is not removed as long as the battery
429 is accommodated in the opening 212 of the battery housing.
Therefore, the HDD unit 430 accommodated inside the opening 414 of
the HDD unit housing (see FIG. 10) is not removed from the opening
414 of the HDD unit housing. Therefore, the battery 420 is always
removed before the removal of the HDD unit 430 if the HDD unit 430
is to be removed. With this, it is possible to prevent the HDD unit
430 having electric power applied from being removed from the
notebook PC 10. Thus, the HDD unit 430 and information stored in
the HDD unit 430 are prevented from being damaged.
[0091] FIG. 10 illustrates the HDD unit 430 accommodated in the
opening 414 of the HDD unit housing. FIG. 11 is a perspective view
of the lid 439 which is removed from the opening 414 of the HDD
housing. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the inside of the lid
439.
[0092] If the lid 439 covering the opening 414 of the HDD unit
housing is removed as illustrated in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the HDD
unit 430 accommodated in the opening 414 of the HDD unit housing
can be viewed as illustrated in FIG. 10.
[0093] The opening 414 of the HDD unit housing is formed in a
position adjacent to the opening 212 of the battery housing in
which the battery 420 is accommodated as illustrated in FIG. 8.
Referring to FIG. 10, the opening 414 of the HDD unit housing is
formed by including a side wall 414a adjacent to the opening 212 of
the battery housing, a front wall 414c, and a corner 414b connected
in common with the side wall 414a and the front wall 414c. Further,
the front wall 414c of the opening 414 of the HDD unit housing have
two holes 414d into which two claw portions 439c formed in the lid
439 are inserted as illustrated in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13. The lid 439
has protruding portions 439d which are inserted into dents 414e
which are formed on the opening 414 of the HDD unit housing on a
side opposite to the claw portions 439c. The opening 414 of the HDD
unit housing have two screw holes 414f at positions adjacent to the
dents 414e. In association with the screw holes 414f, two holes
439e are formed in the lid 439 at corresponding positions of the
two screw holes 414f. The lid 439 is fixed so as to cover the
opening 414 of the HDD unit housing by inserting the claw portions
439c into the holes 414d, arranging the protruding portions 439d in
the dents 414e, and screwing the lid 439 through the holes 439e to
the screw holes 414f. Therefore, in order to remove the fixed lid
439 in the fixed state, the side of the lid having the holes 439e
is lifted and rotated after removing the screws fixing the lid 439.
The extending portion 439b of the lid 439 is formed at a corner
apart from the corner 414b shared by the side wall 414a and the
front wall 414c on the side of the opening 414 of the HDD unit
housing. Said differently, the extending portion 439b is formed on
the side to be lifted in removing the lid 439. Since the flange
422a of the battery 420 covers the extending portion 439b, it is
possible to certainly prevent the lid 439 from being removed before
the battery 420 is removed.
[0094] Although the HDD unit 430 is described, the Embodiment is
applicable to other types of electronic components such as a memory
board and a communication module.
[0095] (HDD Unit Attaching Structure)
[0096] FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 are perspective views of the opening 414
of the HDD unit housing viewed from different angles after removing
the HDD unit.
[0097] The opening 414 of the HDD unit housing includes an opposite
side wall 414g and a bottom face 414i in addition to the side wall
414a on the side of the opening 212 of the battery housing and the
front wall 414c described above. A connector 415 is arranged on the
front wall 414c. A protrusion 414h is provided on the side wall
414g on a side far from the opening 212 of the battery housing so
as to protrude toward the inside of the opening 414 of the HDD unit
housing. A grounding member 416 protrudes from the bottom face 414i
on an end portion far from the front wall 414c. FIG. 15 and FIG. 16
are perspective views of the HDD unit 430 viewed from different
angles. FIG. 17 illustrates the bottom face of the HDD unit 430.
FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of the HDD unit 430
separated into the HDD body 431 and a cover member 432. FIG. 19,
FIG. 20 and FIG. 21 are perspective views of the cover member 432
viewed from different angles.
[0098] The HDD unit 430 includes the HDD body 431 and a cover
member 432.
[0099] Referring to FIG. 18, the HDD body 431 includes a first face
431a covered by a cover member 432 and a second face 431b (see FIG.
17) being in contact with the bottom face 414i (see FIG. 13 and
FIG. 14) of the opening 414 of the HDD unit housing and extending
in parallel with the first face 431a. The HDD body 431 further
includes a front end face 431c, left and right side faces 431d and
431e, and a back end face 431f, which surround the first surface
431a and the second surface 431b. As illustrated in FIG. 17, an
exposed circuit board 431g is provided on the second face 431b and
a connector 431h is provided on an end of the circuit board 431g.
The connector 431h is positioned at around the front wall 414c of
the opening 414 of the HDD unit housing and connected to the
connector 415 as illustrated in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14. The circuit
board 431g on the second surface 431b of the HDD body 431 extends
entirely through the length of the HDD body 431. A base body 431i
made of a resin extends within a partial area on one end of the
bottom face of the HDD body 431.
[0100] The cover member 432 included in the HDD unit 430 is formed
by sheet metal processing. The cover member 432 includes a cover
432a for covering the first face 431a (see FIG. 18) of the HDD body
431 and left and right bent portions 432b and 432c bent along the
left and right side faces 432d and 432e of the HDD body 431. The
cover member 432 includes a grounding part 432d bent along the back
end face 431f of the HDD body 431. The grounding part 432d is in
contact with a grounding member 416 (see FIG. 13 and FIG. 14)
protruding from the bottom face 414i of the opening 414 of the HDD
unit housing. The grounding member 416 (see FIG. 13) is positioned
immediately outside the back end face 431f (see FIG. 18) of the HDD
body 431 included in the HDD unit 430 where the HDD unit 430 is
accommodated in the opening 414 of the HDD unit housing. Therefore,
the grounding part 432d of the cover member 432 (see FIG. 18)
mounts the grounding member 416 to thereby electrically connect the
grounding part 432d to the grounding member 416.
[0101] A hook-like notch 432e is formed on the right side 432b of
the cover member 412. The hook-like notch 432e is engaged with the
protrusion 414h (see FIG. 13) protruding inside the opening 414 of
the HDD unit housing from the right side face of the opening 414 of
HDD unit housing. Referring to FIG. 18, the hook-like notch 432e
includes a first notch 432f and a second notch 432g. The shape of
the first notch 432f is wide in its open end for receiving the
protrusion 414h. The first notch 432f accommodates and is engaged
with the protrusion 414h when the HDD unit 430 is brought closer to
the bottom face 414i while making the second face 431b of the HDD
body 431 face the bottom face 414i of the opening 414 of the HDD
unit housing. After moving the second face 431b (see FIG. 17) of
the HDD body 431 to be in contact with the bottom face 414i of the
opening 414 of the HDD unit housing, the front end face 431c of the
HDD body 431 is moved in a direction approaching the front wall
414c (see FIG. 18) of the opening 414 of the HDD unit housing.
Referring to FIG. 18, the second notch 432g continues from the
first notch 432f and is provided to accommodate the protrusion 414h
(see FIG. 13) while the front end face 431c of the HDD body 431
moves in the direction approaching the front wall 414c (see FIG.
18) of the front wall 414c of the opening 414 of the HDD unit
housing. When the front end face 431c of the HDD body 431 is moved
in the direction approaching the front wall 414c (see FIG. 18) of
the front wall 414c of the opening 414 of the HDD unit housing, the
connector 431h (see FIG. 17) is connected to the connector 415 in
the front wall 414c (see FIG. 13) of the opening 414 of the HDD
unit housing. With this connection, power is appropriately supplied
to the HDD unit 430. Further, a signal is transmitted and received
between the HDD unit 430 and the notebook PC 10.
[0102] As described, the second face 431b is directed to the bottom
face 414i of the opening 414 of the HDD unit housing and the front
end face 431c (see FIG. 18) of the HDD body 431 is directed to the
front wall 414c (see FIG. 13) of the opening 414 of the HDD unit
housing. Then, the HDD unit 431 is moved on a side of the bottom
face 414i. Hereinafter, the mentioned movement is referred to as
"first movement". After the first movement, the HDD unit 430 is
moved in a direction of making the front end face 431c (see FIG.
17) approach the front wall 414c (see FIG. 13). Hereinafter, the
mentioned movement is referred to as "second movement". The HDD
unit 430 is accommodated in the opening of the HDD unit housing
with two stage motions of the first movement and the second
movement. A positional relationship between the protrusion 414h and
the first notch 432f may be determined such that the grounding
member 416 is in contact with the base body 431i (see FIG. 17) of
the second face 431b of the HDD body 431 with the first movement.
Therefore, in the second movement after the first movement, the
grounding member 416 (see FIG. 13) grazes only the base body 431i
of the HDD body 431 in the second movement (see FIG. 17) after the
first movement. The grounding member 416 is not in contact with the
exposed circuit board 431g in the motions of accommodating the HDD
unit 430 in the opening 414 of the HDD unit housing and of taking
out the HDD unit 430 from the opening 414 of the HDD unit housing.
As described, the circuit board 431g is prevented from being in
contact with or grazing the grounding member 416. Thus, the
breakage of circuit board can be prevented. By forming the
protrusion 414h and the hook-like notch 432e, the grounding member
416 can be securely arranged on the bottom face 414i of the opening
414 of the HDD unit housing. As described, a degree of freedom in
laying out the parts and components using the protrusion 414h and
the hook-like notch 432e.
[0103] Referring to FIG. 13, the protrusion 414h is formed on only
the right side face 414g of the right and left side faces 414a and
414g of the opening 414 of the HDD unit housing and is not formed
on the left side face 414a adjacent to the opening 212 of the
battery housing. The HDD unit 430 is relatively pervious to the
vibration and it is preferable to prevent vibration around the HDD
unit 430 as far as possible. The reason why the protrusion 414h is
formed only on the side face 414g of the both side faces 414a and
414g is to prevent the vibration. As described, by making the only
the side face 414g be in contact with the HDD unit 430, a vibration
transmission amount to the HDD unit 430 is restricted. Further,
another reason is that it is sufficient to restrict the motion of
the HDD unit 430 only on one side using the protrusion 414h and the
hook-like notch 432e.
[0104] Referring to FIG. 18, screw holes 431n are formed at two
positions respectively on the side faces 431d and 431d near the
front end face 431c and the back end face 431f. A screw hole 432h
is formed in each of the left and right bent portions 432b and 432c
of the cover member 432. The hole 432h is formed in an arm 432i in
a cantilever shape of each of the left and right bent portions 432b
and 432c. The cover member 432 is fixed to the HDD body 431 by two
screws inserted into the right and left holes 432h and the
corresponding screw holes 431n near the front end face 431c, namely
at one right position and one left position. The reason why only
the one right position and the one left position are used is to
prevent vibration from transmitting to the HDD body.
[0105] Referring to FIG. 21, cushions 432k are attached to the
inner face of the cover 432a on the side of the grounding part 432d
and the inner faces of the left and right bent portions 432b and
432c on the side of the grounding part 432d. With the cushions
432k, portions of the HDD body 431 at portions on the first face
431a near the back end face 431f and portions on the left and right
side faces 431d and 431d near the back end face 431f are supported.
The reason why only the cushions 432k are used is to prevent
vibration from transmitting to the HDD body 431.
[0106] (Speaker Attaching Structure)
[0107] As illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the pair of right and
left sound emitting holes 24 is formed on the far side on the upper
surface of the computing unit 20. The speakers (described below)
are arranged immediately inside the sound emitting holes 24. Sound
generated by the speakers are emitted outside from the sound
emitting holes 24.
[0108] FIG. 22 illustrates the notebook PC from which a cover
member on an upper side of the computing unit and the speakers are
removed. The power button 22, the function buttons 23, and the
sound emitting holes are provided in the cover member and removed
along together with the cover member. FIG. 23 and FIG. 24 are
enlarged views of the left and right speaker areas. Referring to
FIG. 23 and FIG. 24, disassembly of the notebook PC 10 has further
proceeded, namely the keyboard 25 is removed from the state
illustrated in FIG. 22 and the display unit 30 is also removed.
[0109] The pair of right and left speaker areas 441 is formed on
the base plate 440. These speaker areas 441 include openings of
special shapes which are formed on the base plate 440. Around the
openings forming the speaker areas 441, pressure-sensitive adhesive
double coated tapes 442 are attached. The pressure-sensitive
adhesive double coated tape 442 is cushioned and has an annular
shape surrounding a periphery of the opening by one turn without a
seam. Each of the speaker areas 441 has two standing pieces 443 for
aligning the speaker (described below) and two standing pins
444.
[0110] FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the speaker viewed from a
back surface side of the notebook PC.
[0111] The speaker 450 has a sound emitting face 452 (see FIG. 26
and FIG. 27) for emitting sound with vibration on the opposite face
of a back face 451 illustrated in FIG. 25. The speaker 450 is
shaped like a rectangle in plan views of the back face 451 and the
sound emitting face 452. Holes 450a are formed in four corners of
the rectangle. The back face of the speaker 450 specially protrudes
as illustrated in FIG. 25. The opening formed in the speaker area
441 of the base plate 440 has a shape of accommodating a back face
of the speaker 450. The opening is formed to partially support a
periphery of the speaker 450 as described below.
[0112] FIG. 26 and FIG. 27 are enlarged perspective views of the
notebook PC in which the speakers have been mounted on the speaker
areas on the right and left sides of the notebook PC 10.
[0113] The speaker 450 is arranged so that a protrusion on a the
back face 451 (see FIG. 25) is accommodated in the opening and the
periphery of the back face mounts the pressure-sensitive adhesive
double coated tape 442. The speaker 450 is aligned so that the two
corners of the rectangle are fit to the standing pieces 443 and the
standing pins 444 are inserted into the two holes of the four holes
450a.
[0114] The special opening is formed in the speaker area 441, and
the pressure-sensitive adhesive double coated tape 442 is placed so
as to trace the edge of the special opening. Therefore, the speaker
450 is arranged in the speaker area 441 while the peripheral edges
of the back face 451 may intermittently overlap the
pressure-sensitive adhesive double coated tape 442. Specifically,
the four corners of the speaker 450 overlap the pressure-sensitive
adhesive double coated tape 442, and middle portions of four sides
of the rectangle may not overlap the pressure-sensitive adhesive
double coated tape 442 because the pressure-sensitive adhesive
double coated tape 442 outwardly surrounds the speaker 450 at
around the sides of the rectangle as illustrated in FIG. 27. By
using the cushioned pressure-sensitive adhesive double coated tape
442, it is possible to prevent vibration of the speaker 450 from
transmitting to the base plate 440. Further, by intermittently
supporting the peripheral edges of the speaker 450, it is possible
to further prevent the vibration of the speaker 450 from
transmitting to the base plate 440.
[0115] FIG. 28 illustrates the upper surface of the computing unit
from which the cover member covering the speaker and the keyboard
are removed. FIG. 29 illustrates the upper surface side of the
computing unit illustrated in FIG. 28 from which the speakers are
removed.
[0116] The base plate 440 functions as the supporting member which
extends below the keyboard 25 to support the keyboard 25. The base
plate 440 forms the outer surface of the computing unit 20 on the
near side of the keyboard 25. The base plate 440 is an upper cover
for covering the upper surface of the casing of the computing unit
20. In the base plate 440, the speaker areas 441 (see FIG. 22) are
connected to an area extending below the keyboard by narrow arms
445. The HDD unit 430 is mounted on a far side viewed from the side
of the speakers 450. The HDD unit 430 is relatively pervious to
vibration. The reason why the arm 445 is provided in the base plate
440 may be prevention of vibration of the speakers 450 transmitting
to the keyboard and the HDD unit 430 on the far side of the key
board.
[0117] (Click Button Structure)
[0118] FIG. 30 illustrates the back surface side of an upper cover
used also as the base plate for supporting the above-described
speakers. FIG. 31 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a
supporter provided on the back face of the upper cover.
[0119] Referring to FIG. 30 and FIG. 31, the supporter 451
positioned on the back face of the upper surface cover 440a is
illustrated. On the opposite front face of the upper surface cover
440a, a fingerprint sensor 28 and right and left operations buttons
27 sandwiching the fingerprint sensor 28 as illustrated in FIG. 2
and FIG. 29 are provided.
[0120] FIG. 32 is an enlarged perspective view of the supporter 451
removed from the front face cover and directed to expose the upper
side opposite to the bottom face illustrated in FIG. 30 and FIG.
31.
[0121] Referring to FIG. 32, the circuit board 452a is fixed to the
upper face of the supporter 451. On the left and right sides of the
fingerprint sensor 28 on the circuit board 452a, the switches 453
are mounted. The fingerprint sensor 28 is exposed on the upper
surface of the computing unit 20 from an opening 446 (see FIG. 33)
formed on the upper surface cover. Statuses of the right and left
switches 453 are changed upon pressing of pressure points 453a in
the centers of the switches 453. As the structure of the switches
453, if the operations buttons 27 (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 29) on the
upper surface of the computing unit 20 are pushed, the pressure
points 453a are pushed by the operations buttons 27. FIG. 33 is a
perspective view illustrating insides of the two operations buttons
sandwiching the fingerprint sensor 28 where the supporter 451 (see
FIG. 31 and FIG. 32) attached to the circuit board 452a is removed.
FIG. 34 and FIG. 35 are enlarged perspective views illustrating
insides of the right and left operations buttons.
[0122] Referring to FIG. 33 to FIG. 35, the operations buttons have
a substantially rectangular shape extending left and right the
notebook PC 10. The operations buttons 27 have action pins 271
protruding from the inner faces of the operations buttons at
positions closer to the opening 446 for providing the fingerprint
sensor 48 from the centers of the rectangles. The action pins 271
face the pressure points 453a of the switches 453 on the circuit
board 452a. Said differently, the distance between centers of the
two operations buttons 453 is grater than the distance between the
switches 453. If the operations button 27 is pushed, the action pin
271 pushes the pressure point 453a of the switch 453 to thereby
change the status of the switch 453. The operations switches 27
have ribs 272 protruding from insides of the operations switches 27
at positions being outwardly apart from the action pins 271 from
the centers of the rectangles. The rib 272 hits the upper face of
the supporter 45 (see FIG. 32) if the operations switch 27 is
strongly pushed to thereby prevent the operations button from being
pushed any more.
[0123] Referring to FIG. 33, four elastic arms 433 extend from
peripheries of the operations button 27 and fixed to the upper
surface cover by fixing pins 434. The elastic arms 433 support the
operations button 27 to the upper surface cover and elastically
deform to displace the operations button 27 if the operations
button 27 is pushed. Although the operations button 27 has the four
elastic arms 433, 433a, 433b, the two elastic arms 433a connected
on the side of the opening 446 among the four elastic arms 433,
433a, 433b are relatively thin (a narrow feature in width) and the
other two elastic arms 433b connected on the side apart from the
opening 446 are relatively thick (a wide feature in width). The
difference of the width relates to the shifted position of the
action pin 271 on the operations button closer to the side of the
opening 446. The sizes of the operations buttons 27 may be large in
comparison with the widths of fingers in right and left directions.
Therefore, the operations button 27 may be pushed on the side
closer to the opening 446 or on the side apart from the opening
446. Referring to FIG. 32, irrespective of positions where the
operations button is pushed, it is preferable to operate the switch
453 with the action pin 271.
[0124] By adopting the relatively narrow feature for the elastic
arm 433a supporting the side of the operations button 27 closer to
the opening 446, the side closer to the opening 446 is supported
with a relatively small elastic coefficient. By adopting the
relatively wide feature for the elastic arm 433b supporting the
side of the operations button 27 apart from the opening 446, the
side apart from the opening 446 is supported with a relatively
large elastic coefficient. With these features, the switches 453
are certainly pushed and operated. Said differently, if a position
of the operations button 27 closer to the opening 446, i.e., a
position of the operations button 27 closer to the elastic arm 433a
than the elastic arm 433b, is pushed, the pushing force causes the
elastic arms 433a on the side of the opening 446 to deflect thereby
pushing the switch 453 with the action pin 271. If a position of
the operations button 27 apart from the opening 446, i.e., a
position of the operations button 27 closer to the elastic arm 433b
than the elastic arm 433a, is pushed, the pushing force scarcely
causes the elastic arms 433b on the side apart from the opening 446
to deflect due to their wide features and causes the elastic arms
433a on the side of the opening 446 to deflect thereby pushing the
switch 453 with the action pin 271. Therefore, even if the side of
the operations button 27 apart from the opening 446 is pushed, the
switch 453 is securely pushed by the action pin 271.
[0125] Assuming that the action pin 271 is formed in the center of
the operations button 27, the switch 453 is arranged so as to face
the action pin 271 (see FIG. 32). Then, the size of the circuit
board 452 having the switch 453 becomes large and therefore the
size of the supporter 451 also becomes large. In this case, the
circuit board 452a or the like becomes large to reduce a space for
arranging the parts and components. Therefore, compact or
high-density mounting are not achieved.
[0126] On the other hand, the size of the operations button 27 can
be reduced so that the action pin 271 is positioned at the center
of the operations button 27 while maintaining the position of the
switch 453 illustrated in FIG. 32. However, the arrangement and
dimensions of the operations button 27 may influence operability
and design of the notebook PC 10. Therefore, the center of the
operations button may not overlap the switch 453.
[0127] By changing the widths of the elastic arms, the
above-mentioned situations are considered and a degree of freedom
in determining the dimensions and arrangement of the operations
button 27 relative to the arrangement of the switch 453 is
enhanced.
[0128] If the side of the operations button 27 closer to the action
pin 271 is supported with a relatively small elastic coefficient
and the side of the operations button 27 apart from the action pin
271 is supported with a relatively large elastic coefficient, the
switch is certainly pushed. As such, by adjusting the widths of the
elastic arms 433, the switch 453 is certainly pushed. However,
without adjusting the widths of the elastic arms 433 or together
with the adjustment of the widths of the elastic arms 433, other
factors may be adjusted. Examples of the other factors are the
lengths of the elastic arms and the number of the elastic arms that
are connecting positions between the elastic arms and the
operations button 27. Said differently, the longer the elastic arm
433 there is, the smaller the elastic coefficient becomes. The
shorter the elastic arm 433 is, the greater the elastic coefficient
becomes. Meanwhile, the greater the number of the elastic arms 433
is, the greater the elastic coefficient becomes. Meanwhile, the
closer the connecting position between the elastic arm and the
operations button 27 is, the more the influence of pushing of the
operations button 27 on pushing of the action pin 271 becomes.
[0129] (Connector Attaching Structure)
[0130] FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the computing unit from
which the upper cover is removed.
[0131] Referring to FIG. 36, the upper surface cover 440a
illustrated in FIG. 30 is removed from the computing unit
illustrated in FIG. 29.
[0132] FIG. 36 illustrates an inner face of the bottom surface
cover 219 on the side of the bottom surface of the casing 21 of the
computing unit 20 illustrated in FIG. 2. A main circuit board 460
widely spreading on the bottom surface cover 219 is installed in
the bottom surface cover 219. Referring to FIG. 36, an opening 461
is formed to send air to a fan 471 (see FIG. 37) to be described
later.
[0133] FIG. 37 is a perspective view illustrating aback side face
of the main circuit board 460 facing the face of the bottom surface
cover 219 illustrated in FIG. 36. On the main circuit board 460
illustrated in FIG. 37, many parts and components are densely
arranged. Among the parts and components, only selected parts and
components are described. Referring to FIG. 37, a heat dissipating
module 470 as a heat generating electric component for air-cooling
the CPU module 462 (see FIG. 45) is installed in the main circuit
board 460. The heat dissipating module 470 includes a fan 471, a
heat dissipating fin 472, and a base body 473 for supporting the
fan 471 and the heat dissipating fin 472. Detailed description of
the heat dissipating module 470 is given later. The main circuit
board 460 has a power connector 481 and a supporter 482 for
supporting the power connector 481. Hereinafter, the power
connector 481 and the supporter 482 supporting the power connector
481 are described.
[0134] FIG. 38 and FIG. 39 are enlarged perspective views of the
power connector for the power source on the side illustrated in
FIG. 37 of the main circuit board 460 viewed from different angles.
Referring to FIG. 38, a screw 490 (see FIG. 40) for fixing the
supporter 482 to the main circuit board 460 is removed and a hole
463 through which the screw 490 penetrates and which is formed in
the main circuit board 460 is illustrated. FIG. 40 is an enlarged
perspective view of the power connector 481 on a side opposite to
the side illustrated in FIG. 37 of the main circuit board 460, i.e.
the side illustrated in FIG. 36. FIG. 41 is a perspective view of
the power connector 481. FIG. 42 and FIG. 43 are perspective views
of the supporter 482 viewed from different angles. FIG. 44 is a
perspective view of an assembly of the power connector 481 and the
supporter 482.
[0135] The power connector 481 is located immediately inside the
power connector hole 211 on the right side surface of the computing
unit 20 illustrated in FIG. 3, and is connected to the connector of
an AC adapter (not illustrated) inserted through the power
connector hole 211.
[0136] Hereinafter, the side face of the main circuit board 460 on
which the power connector 481 is provided (the face illustrated in
FIG. 37 to FIG. 39) is referred to as "a first face", and the side
surface opposite thereto is referred to as "a second face".
[0137] Referring to FIG. 41, the power connector 481 has an opening
481b on a front face 481a. Protrusions 481e and 481f are formed on
the left and right side faces 481c and 481d in the vertical
direction. Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIG. 42 and FIG. 43, the
supporter 482 includes a base portion 482a in contact with an upper
face 481g (see FIG. 41) of the connector 481 and bent portions 482b
and 482c which are bent from the base portion 482a and contact the
side faces 481c and 481d of the connector 481. The supporter 482
further includes pushing portions 482d and 482e which are formed at
positions sandwitching the opening 481b of the connector 481 in the
right and left directions and clamp the right and left edges of the
front face 481a of the connector 481. The supporter 482 includes a
fixing portion 482g which is bent on a side of the second face of
the main circuit board 460 from a tip of the left pushing portion
482d and has a screw hole 482f. Further, the supporter 482 includes
a hook portion 482h which is bent to the second face side of the
main circuit board 460 from the tip of the right pushing portion
482e and is engaged with the main circuit board 460.
[0138] As illustrated in FIG. 44, the supporter 482 supports the
connector 481 by clamping the front face 481a (see FIG. 41) and the
protrusions 481e and 481f in the vertical directions with the left
and right pushing portions 482d and 482e and the left and right
bent portions 482b and 482c.
[0139] Referring to FIG. 38 and FIG. 39, the supporter 482 supports
the connector 481 after the connector 481 is placed at a
predetermined position on the first face of the main circuit board
460. While the supporter 482 is supported, the fixing portion 482g
and the hook portion 482h of the supporter 482 reach the second
face of the main circuit board 460 from the left and right sides of
the connector 481 and fix the supporter 482 to the first face of
the main circuit board 460. The main circuit board 460 has a hole
463 (see FIG. 38) which overlaps the screw hole 482f formed in the
fixing portion 482g of the supporter 482. Referring to FIG. 40, the
supporter 482 is fixed to the main circuit board 460 by one screw
490 passing through the hole 463 of the main circuit board 460 and
the screw hole 482f of the supporter 482 from the first face side
of the main circuit board 460.
[0140] For example, processed sheet metal may be additionally
prepared and the main circuit board 460 may be clamped by the
processed sheet metal and a supporter, or the supporter may be
screwed to a part or component positioned immediately adjacent to
the supporter.
[0141] In comparison with the example, the supporter 482 is screwed
to the main circuit board 460 without another part or another
component. In the Embodiment, the supporter 482 is fixed without
introducing an increment of the number of the parts and components
and restrictions in laying out the parts and components.
[0142] (Cooling Ventilation Route Structure)
[0143] The heat dissipating module 470 on the main circuit board
460 illustrated in FIG. 37 is described next.
[0144] FIG. 45 is a perspective view of the first surface of the
main circuit board illustrated in FIG. 37 from which a heat
dissipating module is removed.
[0145] Referring to FIG. 45, the opening 461 for taking air on the
first face side (see FIG. 37 and a face opposite to the first face
illustrated in FIG. 45) into the fan 471 (see FIG. 37 and FIG. 47)
is formed in the main circuit board 460. The heat dissipating fin
472 is in closely contact with the CPU module 462. The CPU module
462 generates heat when it is activated. Therefore, a heat
generating electronic component such as the CPU module 462 is
forcibly cooled by the heat dissipating module 470. FIG. 46 is a
perspective view of an inside of the bottom surface cover 219 after
the main circuit board 460 is removed.
[0146] The bottom surface cover 219 forms a part of the casing 21
(see FIG. 2) of the computing unit 20 and covers the bottom face
side of the computing unit 20. The bottom surface cover 219 has an
air vent 441 (see FIG. 6 and FIG. 46) for blowing air which is
blown by the fan 471 (see FIG. 37 and FIG. 47) and passes through
the heat dissipating fin 472. Referring to FIG. 10 and FIG. 46, the
opening 414 of the HDD unit housing in which the HDD unit 430 is
arranged is formed in the bottom surface cover 219. A shield plate
480 extends on the inside of the bottom surface cover 219. The
shield plate 480 prevents electronic parts on the main circuit
board 460 from being easily affected by electromagnetic noise and
prevents electromagnetic noise generated by the main circuit board
460 from easily leaking to the outside.
[0147] An opening 480a is formed at a position facing the fan 471
(see FIG. 45) in the shield plate 480, and the bottom surface cover
219 is exposed. The opening 480a is provided to introduce more air
with the fan 471 by opening a front face of an air intake port of
the fan 471 as much as possible.
[0148] A piece 480b is cut and raised from the shield plate 480 in
the vicinity of the opening 480a of the shield plate 480. Plural
pieces 480c are cut and raised at positions closer to the air vent
441 than the piece 480b of the shield plate 480. The pieces 480c
are provided to contact the heat dissipating fin 472 and the base
body 473 (see FIG. 47) which form the heat dissipating module 470
and ground the heat dissipating fin 472 and the base body 473.
[0149] The main circuit board 460 illustrated in FIG. 45 is
arranged on the back surface cover 219 while the heat dissipating
module is mounted as illustrated in FIG. 37, the first face
illustrated in FIG. 45 is directed to the shield plate 480
interposing a gap between the shield plate 480 and the main circuit
board 460.
[0150] FIG. 47 is a perspective view of the heat dissipating
module. FIG. 47 illustrates a face on a side facing the shield
plate 480 illustrated in FIG. 46.
[0151] FIG. 48 is a perspective view of the heat dissipating module
which is placed at a predetermined position while the heat
dissipating module is removed from the main circuit board.
[0152] The heat dissipating module 470 includes the fan 471, the
heat dissipating fin 472, and the base body 473 for supporting the
fan 471 and the heat dissipating fin 472 as described above. The
base body 473 is a heavy and thick metallic member manufactured by
die-casting. An opening 473a is formed in a part supporting the fan
471 so as to introduce air into the fan 471. Air is suctioned from
the second face side (i.e., the opposite side to the first face
side illustrated in FIG. 45) of the main circuit board 460 through
the opening 461 (see FIG. 45) formed in the main circuit board 460
and the opening 473a formed in the base body 473. The fan 471 is
supported by the main circuit board 460 interposing a gap between
the fan 471 and the shield plate 480 (see FIG. 46). Air is
suctioned from the side of the shield plate 480 from the fan 471.
The fan 471 blows air suctioned from the upper and lower openings
460 and 480a to the heat dissipating fin 472. The heat dissipating
fin 472 is biased by a spring (not illustrated) in a direction
toward the CPU module 462 mounted on the main circuit board 462 (in
a direction separating from the shield plate 480) so that the heat
dissipating fin 472 is in contact with the CPU module 462 mounted
on the first face of the main circuit board 462. The biased heat
dissipating fin 472 with the spring absorbs heat from the CPU
module 462 in close contact with the heat dissipating fin. The heat
dissipating fin 472 in close contact with the CPU module 462 is
pushed by the CPU module 462 and is moved to a position where an
air intake 472a receives air sent by the fan 471. The pieces 480b
and 480c contact the moved heat dissipating fin 472 and the base
body 473 to thereby ground the heat dissipating fin 472 and the
base body 473. The fan 471 suctions air from both faces of the fan
471 in the computing unit 20. For this, a positional relationship
is such that the heat dissipating fin 472 closely contacts the CPU
module 462 on the main circuit board 460. On the other hand, the
computing unit 20 is formed as thin as possible. When the fan 471
and the heat dissipating fin 472 are arranged at positions
satisfying the postitional relationship described above, the heat
dissipating fin 472 is arranged at positions shifted more to the
bottom face side (i.e., the side of the shield plate 480) than the
fan 471 in the thickness direction of the computing unit 20.
Therefore, the base body 473 of the heat dissipating module 470 has
a slope 473b between the fan 471 and the heat dissipating fin 472.
The slope 473b makes the air sent from the fan 471 smoothly flow
toward the air intake 472a. A pair of walls 473c is formed on both
sides of the base body 473 substantially along the fan 471, the
slope 473c and the heat dissipating fin 472 to prevent the sent air
from leaking in transverse directions of the air flow. Referring to
FIG. 48, the heat dissipating module 470 is mounted on the main
circuit board 460 and further positioned so that the air send by
the fan 471 and passing through the heat dissipating fin 472 is
outwardly discharged from the air vent 441 (see FIG. 6 and FIG.
46).
[0153] FIG. 49 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line X-X of
FIG. 48.
[0154] Referring to FIG. 47, the base body 473 of the heat
dissipating module 470 has the slope 473b and the pair of walls
473c as described above in the air flow path between the fan 471
and the heat dissipating fin 472. However, efficiency may be
lowered by leakage of the air sent from the fan 471. Therefore, the
piece 480b (see FIG. 46 and FIG. 48) is formed in the shield plate
480. The piece 480b seals the air flow path between the fan 471 and
the heat dissipating fin 472 and obliquely introduces the air
flowing along the slope 473b. Said differently, the slope 473b of
the base body 473, the pair of walls 473c, and the piece 480b of
the shield plate 480 form a duct structure connecting the fan 471
and the heat dissipating fin 472. As described, the duct structure
is realized by forming the piece 480b in the shield plate 480
without adding another member. Thus, the efficiency of the heat
dissipation can be improved.
[0155] (Hook Structure in the Display Unit)
[0156] For example, a hook structure illustrated in FIG. 2 is
described. The hook structure includes a hook 33 provided in an
upper portion of the display unit 30, and an unhook button 34
protruding from the upper surface 301 of the display unit 30 in the
opened state (i.e., the front end surface of the display unit 30 in
the closed state). The hook 33 is an engaging protrusion for
locking the display unit 30 in the slosed state by entering into a
locking aperture 29 provided in the upper surface of the computing
unit 20 when the display unit 30 is close by folding it down on the
computing unit 20. The unhook button 34 causes the hook 33 to be
moved at an unhook position by pressing the unhook button 34
thereby releasing the engagement of the hook 33 with the locking
aperture 29. FIG. 50 and FIG. 51 are enlarged perspective views of
the hook 33 and the unhook button 34 provided in the display unit
30. Ref erring to FIG. 50, the unhook button 34 protrudes from the
upper face 301 of the display unit 30 in the opened state (the
front end surface 301 in the closed state). Referring to FIG. 51,
the unhook button 34 is pressed. Referring to FIG. 50, if the
display unit 30 is close by being folded down on the computing unit
20 while the unhook button 34 protrudes from the upper surface (the
front end surface), the hook 33 is inserted into the locking
aperture 29 of the computing unit 20. The hook 33 laterally moves
with a contact between the locking aperture and the slope 33a of
the hook 33. Thereafter, the hook 33 returns to the position
illustrated in FIG. 50. Thus, the hook 33 is engaged with locking
aperture 29. When the unhook button 34 is pushed as illustrated in
FIG. 51, the hook 33 laterally moves. Then, if the display unit is
in the closed state, the engagement between the hook 33 and the
locking aperture 29 is released to enable the display unit 30 being
lifted so as to be in the opened state.
[0157] FIG. 52 is a cross-sectional view of a part of the hook 33
and the unhook button 34 of the display unit 30. The upper face 301
of the display unit 30 in the opened state includes the horizontal
first face 301a from the back surface toward the front surface and
a descending slope 301b is formed after the first face 301a. The
first face 301a may be formed like an ascending slope from the back
surface of the back surface cover to the front surface of the back
surface cover. The second face 301b may be a curved face becoming
gradually steep on the side of the first face 301a.
[0158] The casing 31 of the display unit 30 includes the front
surface cover 311 covering a periphery of the display screen 32
(see FIG. 2) and the back face cover covering the back face of the
display unit 30 (see FIG. 1). The second face 301b of the upper
surface 301 in the opened state is formed on the front face cover
311. The unhook button 34 protrudes from the front surface cover
311. If the display unit 30 in the closed state is opened to be in
the opened state, the unhook button 34 is pressed and
simultaneously a finger is hung on the second face 301b to lift the
front end surface 301 (the upper face in the opened state) of the
display unit 30. Thus, the operability is good. The second face
(the slope) 301b may be provided only in the periphery of the
unhook button 34. However, if the second faces are provided on both
sides of the front end surface (the upper surface in the opened
state), the display unit 30 looks thin and therefore it is
advantageous in designing the notebook PC.
[0159] FIG. 53 illustrates a comparative example of FIG. 52.
[0160] In the comparative example illustrated in FIG. 53, the
unhook button 34 protrudes from the side of the back surface cover
312 on the upper surface (the front end surface) 301. In this case,
the second face (the slope) 301b illustrated in FIG. 52 may not be
formed or only a small second face extending in the thickness
direction may be formed. Therefore, even if the unhook button 34 is
pushed the finger does not sufficiently hang on the display unit
30. Therefore, it is difficult to lift the display unit 30 into the
opened state. Thus, in the comparative example illustrated in FIG.
53, the operability is insufficient. Further, the display unit 30
does not look thin. Therefore, it is disadvantageous in designing
the notebook PC.
[0161] FIG. 54 is a perspective view of an inner face of the front
cover of the display unit 30. FIG. 55 is an enlarged perspective
view of the hook structure including the hook on the inner face of
the front cover.
[0162] The hook structure including the hook 33 and the unhook
button 34 is assembled in the inner face side of the front surface
cover 311 as illustrated in FIG. 55.
[0163] FIG. 56 is an exploded perspective view of the hook
structure.
[0164] Referring to FIG. 56, the front surface cover 311, a first
hook member 501 having the hook 33 to be installed in the front
surface cover 311, a second hook member 502 having the unhook
button 34, a hook holder 503, and a coil spring 504 are
illustrated.
[0165] The first hook member 501 protrudes from the opening 311a
formed in an upper portion of the front surface of the front
surface cover 311 in the opened state. The two elongated holes 501a
of the first hook member 501 have inserted respective two pins 311c
standing on the front surface cover 311. At this time, the coil
spring 504 is provided in an arm 501c laterally extending from a
side of the first hook member 501. A tip of the arm 501c protrudes
from an opening 311e of the front surface cover 311. The coil
spring 504 is interposed between peripheral walls of the opening
311e. The first hook member 501 has two protruding portions 501b
obliquely extending on a face overlapping the second hook member
502.
[0166] FIG. 57A and FIG. 57B are plan views of a face on a hook
holder side of the second hook member 502 in FIG. 57A and a face on
a first hook member side of the second hook member 502 in FIG. 57B.
FIG. 58A and FIG. 58B are plan views of the face on the hook holder
side of the second hook member 502 in FIG. 58A and the face on the
first hook member side of the second hook member 502 in FIG. 58A.
The second hook member 502 has engaging claws 502a on both sides.
Referring to FIG. 56, an opening 3111b is formed on the upper
surface of the front surface cover 311 in the opened state. The
unhook button 34 protrudes from the opening 311b. The second hook
member 502 including the unhook button 34 is inserted in the
opening 311b of the front surface cover 311 from the outside. Then,
the two engaging claws 502a inwardly deflect once by being pushed
by the edges on both sides of the opening 311b. After the engaging
claws 502a are inserted so as to pass through the opening 311b, the
engaging claws 502a open again. Then, the engaging claws 502a are
engaged with an inner face of the front surface cover 311 to
thereby prevent the second hook member from being dropped off. By
adopting the structure of inserting the second hook member 502 from
the outside to the opening 311b, the hook structure can be easily
assembled. Two guide grooves 502b are formed on the face of the
second hook member 502 on the first hook member side so as to
obliquely extend. Guide protrusions 501b obliquely provided on the
first hook member 501 are inserted in the guide grooves 502b,
respectively. Therefore, if the unhook button 34 is pushed, the
second hook member 502 moves to the inside of the front face cover
311, and the oblique guide protrusions 501b of the first hook
member 501 are pushed by the oblique guide grooves 502b of the
second hook member 502. Then, the first hook member 501 laterally
moves against the biasing of the coil spring 504. Then, the hook 33
moves to the unhook position illustrated in FIG. 51. When the
finger is moved from the unhook button 34, the first hook member
501 returns to the original position with the biasing force of the
coil spring 504. In response to the movement, the second hook
member 502 moves in a direction of the protruding unhook button
34.
[0167] The front surface cover 311 has the two pins 311c for
guiding the movement of the first hook member inside the two
elongated holes 501a of the first hook member 501 and two other
pins 311d. These four pins 311c and 311d are inserted into the four
holes of the hook holder 503 and fixed to the hook holder 503.
[0168] With the above described hook structure, the display unit 30
is engaged with the computing unit 20 in the closed state, and the
engagement is released by pushing the unhook button 34.
[0169] According to the electronic apparatus, by forming the cut
and raised pieces on the indispensable shield plate 480, the air
blow from the fan is effectively introduced to the heat dissipating
fin without adding new parts or components.
[0170] All examples and conditional language recited herein are
intended for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in
understanding the invention and the concepts contributed by the
inventor to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being
without limitation to such specifically recited examples and
conditions, nor does the organization of such examples in the
specification relate to a showing of the superiority or inferiority
of the invention. Although the embodiments of the present invention
have been described in detail, it should be understood that the
various changes, substitutions, and alterations could be made
hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention.
* * * * *